THE Government has been forced to give up the fight against Japanese knotweed in Britain.

As well as ruining gardens the plant, which grows to seven feet tall, can damage brick walls and the foundations of buildings.

After decades trying to tackle the problem the Government now says knotweed is too expensive to destroy.

With annual costs running at £1.5billion, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister George Eustice said: "There are no plans to attempt a national eradication because the cost would be prohibitively expensive and likely to be unsuccessful given the widespread distribution of the species."

The cost would be prohibitively expensive and likely to be unsuccessful given the widespread distribution of the species

George Eustice, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister

Knotweed roots can grow to more than 15ft deep but it cannot be dug out as any roots left in rapidly regrow.

Herbicides have shown results in combating the weed, but the process is slow and costly.

Roger Wilkson, of RWS Pest and Weed Control in Stockport, said: "If it's on site you will need to have a property risk assessment and a management plan needs to be put in place which is usually a five-year programme.